Breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior and interest on cell phone and text use: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia.

Mehrnoosh Akhtari-Zavare,Hadi Khaniki,Latiffah A Latiff,Abbas Ghanbari-Baghestan

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.4.1337

Mehrnoosh Akhtari-Zavare, Hadi Khaniki + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.4.1337

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Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, including Malaysia. This study focused on media choice and attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used and preferred by women in seeking information and knowledge about breast cancer. A cross sectional study was carried out to examine the breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior among 450 students at one private university in Malaysia. The mean age of respondents was 25±4.3 years. Common interpersonal information sources were doctors, friends, and nurses and common channel information sources were television, brochure, and internet. Overall, 89.9% used cell phones, 46.1% had an interest in receiving cell phone breast cancer prevention messages, 73.9% used text messaging, and 36.7% had an interest in receiving text breast cancer prevention messages. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences among age, eduation, nationality and use of cell phones. Assessment of health information seeking behavior is important for community health educators to target populations for program development.

Highlights

Breast cancer appears to be a major global health problem of both the developing and developed countries (World Health Organization, 2009)
This study focused on media choice and attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used and preferred by women in seeking information and knowledge about breast cancer
89.9% used cell phones, 46.1% had an interest in receiving cell phone breast cancer prevention messages, 73.9% used text messaging, and 36.7% had an interest in receiving text breast cancer prevention messages

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer appears to be a major global health problem of both the developing and developed countries (World Health Organization, 2009). Few studies suggest low breast cancer knowledge among college women (Early et al, 2011; Andsoy et al, 2014). Increased knowledge may influence perceived higher susceptibility to breast cancer and behavior changes (Early et al, 2011; Andsoy et al, 2014). Women during college years may adopt healthy lifestyles for cancer risk reduction and age-appropriate screenings (American Cancer Society., 2013). This study focused on media choice and attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used and preferred by women in seeking information and knowledge about breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out to examine the breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior among 450 students at one private university in Malaysia. Conclusions: Assessment of health information seeking behavior is important for community health educators to target populations for program development

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